I recently upgraded my PC, switching from an Intel CPU to an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, and also got a new ASUS RoG Strix x870E-E motherboard. To go with this setup, I bought a Thermalright Assassin CPU cooler since the new mobo required an AM4/5 compatibility. After installing everything, I was able to use the PC for light tasks and gaming without issues initially. However, the next morning, while watching YouTube, my PC started shutting off and coming back on repeatedly. It took several attempts before I could reach the desktop, and even then, it kept shutting down during various tasks—including during a Windows Memory Test. I tried reinstalling thermal paste and checking the CPU cooler's temperature, but nothing seemed to stop the shutoffs. I've tried clearing the CMOS, but I'm still facing issues. Is my power supply too weak, or is there something else going on?
3 Answers
Sounds like you might be dealing with a hardware issue. If you can stay in the BIOS for a few minutes without it shutting down, that’s a good sign. Have you checked the power connections to ensure everything is seated properly? Specifically, the 8-pin CPU connector should be secure, and don't use the PCIe cable for that; it needs to be the CPU-specific cable.
You should also reset the BIOS settings to default. It's possible that something might have been inadvertently changed during your setup. If your motherboard has a clear CMOS button, try that. Otherwise, removing the CMOS battery for a few minutes should do the trick. If the issue persists, I think it's worth checking if all components are seated securely in their slots.
I did reset the BIOS and everything looks correct. I tried booting with default settings, but it still shuts off occasionally. Might need to check everything again.
I had a similar problem with a high-voltage AMD CPU. Make sure you're using both CPU power slots on the motherboard. I had to do that to make mine stable. Once I followed that tip, my rig finally calmed down and worked flawlessly. After switching, I could even play games at ultra settings without any issues. It might just be a simple fix for you too!
I just installed a new AIO cooler and followed the power slot advice. Now I managed to play without interruptions—feeling a lot better about this upgrade!
Yeah, I managed to stay in the BIOS just fine. I checked that 8-pin connection, and it's secure. I'm starting to think it could be the cooler or something else now.